Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
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14440 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Liz Murray
Reviewed January 2015
Undiscovered Atlas
The Anti Atlas Mountains are somewhere to visit if you, like me, have a yearning for real and intoxicating wilderness. The harsh but beautiful terrain in this region, with it’s scattered villages clinging like patches of lichen to the unforgiving landscape, brings to mind the Old Testament, and the area is characterised by dramatic valleys, harsh red rock desserts, craggy mountain ridges and distant peaks fading into the desert haze.
This is a truly awesome, remote area hike and Exodus and their ground crew in Morocco present it beautifully to their clients. It is a strenuous hike with most days being around 8 hours walking. It’s rocky, very rocky indeed, with lots of steep up and downs -walking poles are almost essential. According to our guide it was unseasonably hot for our trek towards the end of October, with most days being over 30 degrees ( one almost 40!) there isn’t any shade protection so high factor sunscreen and appropriate light clothing are important. And plenty of water!
Our guide was Abdullah, a wonderful, caring gentleman who had grown up in Berber villages. He was very well supported by his crew – cook, camp and mule men. Meals were nothing short of spectacular and each day we’d arrive into to our lunch camp to find an amazing spread of hot and cold dishes, salads and fresh fruit. I was the only one in our group of 16 to fall ill with a stomach bug but I’m absolutely certain it had nothing to do with the quality of the food. ( on that note, make sure you have more than enough tissues, toilet paper etc to get you through a couple of days ‘on the run’ just in case!!).
Camping gear was good quality and I was thrilled to see thick foam mattresses in our tents. Being classed a wild camp, there were no toilet facilities other than our toilet tent – which was the discussion of much humorous laughter almost daily. Water for washing is also scarce (a bowl at the end if each day) so bring plenty of wet wipes.
Most Inspirational Moment
Hard to say, there were so many highlights.
I loved communicating with the women in the villages we walked through, mostly by charades and showing them photos of my family. Be respectful if the fact they do not want their photo taken and just enjoy their company.
The afternoon the children in a village we walked through just before making camp on its perimeter intentionally led me in the wrong direction, getting me temporarily lost. It was a good humoured bit if fun on their part (including the boys who produced chooks legs/feet to shake hands) and I was happy to play along.
Listening to the laughter, drumming and music throughout the first night - only to find out the next morning it was a wedding celebration in a village in the next valley.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Abdullah was amazing, very communicative, caring, sensitive and totally on top of everything.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Sunscreen, protective clothing from the elements (strong, hot sun in our case), a sarong to pop over your shorts when walking through the very remote villages, walking poles.
Kevin Walsh
Reviewed January 2015
Sri Lanka Experience
We have just returned from an excellent trip to Sri Lanka, which provided a very enjoyable insight into the culture, scenery and wildlife of this fabulous country.
Most Inspirational Moment
Two particular highlights - seeing a pod of around 20 Blue Whales and a couple of leopards (not at the same time!). The whale watching was awesome, seeing these enormous creatures at no more then a couple of cricket pitch lengths away. The leopards were also fantastic, appearing just as we were finishing four hours of being bounced around on a jeep in Yala national park. The aches and pains were forgotten as we initially sped along to find the animals and then slowly drove along behind one which was just calmly walking up the road!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sujee was one of the most engaging and organised tour leaders we have come across. He gave very detailed explanations of all that we were going to see and all the necessary timings (and then summed everything up in our journey to the final hotel just in case we had forgotten anything!). He was always smiling and approachable and really added to the tour experience for us.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just go. If you haven't been then it is a lovely country - slightly Indian, slightly Thai and Vietnamese, but always and uniquely Sri Lankan! The only cautionary word (which is entirely personal) is that the trip to the turtle hatchery is not recommended. Far better to miss this out and spend more time in Galle.
Oliver Oliver
Reviewed January 2015
Superb safari, beyond expectations
Run out of superlatives to describe this trip. A plethora of fantastic sightings, Bush Camp is a wonderful place to stay and Paul’s coaching really helped me to get some great shots
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing a cheetah, cubs in tow, make a kill (and defend said kill from a hyena) on the transfer to the camp from the airstrip was very special. Honourable mentions to the lioness carrying her very young cubs, and watching a leopard hunting
Thoughts on Group Leader
Paul's enthusiasm is infectious, and his determination to find (and make the most of) opportunities to take excellent photos is what sets this trip apart from a normal safari. Very entertaining and knowledgeable, and he will challenge you to really improve your photography rather than just take safe "souvenir" shots. Caution advised for those who are easily offended, and/or those unwilling to put in the hours behind the lens
Advice for Potential Travellers
Travel light - the camp laundry service is included and works very efficiently. Bring a decent length lens - 300mm equivalent or more, and a computer/tablet so you can review your best shots with Paul
Elizabeth Rice
Reviewed January 2015
taste of cuba
Very good trip with really good leader and great Group, somewhat affected by apparent Exodus ‘penny-pinching’.
Most Inspirational Moment
Many but:1. leader - see below
2. Cuba's countryside was consistently much more interesting and verdant than we expected - we thought a driving holiday there would be good.
3. way of life - thought provoking, free health, education and death, community service after education, even encouraged hitch-hiking!
4. Colonial Havana itself - nothing quite like it
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very good - She had enthusiasm, knowledge, commitment...10/10! And kept us on schedule!
Susan Hedges
Reviewed January 2015
Tigers, tigers and more tigers
A brilliant trip. Plenty of opportunity to see and photograph wildlife including tigers. Pench was the best reserve although all were very good.
Most Inspirational Moment
The absolutely first heart stopping moment that a tigress sauntered across the road in front of our jeep.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Krishna was brilliant. Cheerful, calm, sympathetic to individual's needs and with a wealth of experience.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Lots and lots of warm clothing more than you would think necessary ; including wind proof jacket and trousers as well as at least two thick fleeces, thermals, hat, gloves and thick socks. It is very cold on the back of an open jeep at 6 on a frosty morning.
Vegetarians need have no worries the food is brilliant.
Linda Harfield
Reviewed January 2015
Cycling and Salsa
Cycling in Cuba is the only way to do it! Beautiful scenery on quiet roads. Combines a Caribbean adventure with sightseeing, history, salsa and beach.
Most Inspirational Moment
I would call myself a 'social cyclist' but cycling in such a wonderful place and with such a fun group makes me want to cycle more now that I am back home. For me, a real sense of achievement.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I know everyone makes favourable comments about their guide, but Freddy was absolutely amazing. He really could not have done more for us. His first hand knowledge of his homeland was excellent. He has a brilliant sense of humour. He looked after us so well, even on the evenings we had 'on our own'. Our group was truly great and inseparable. All 17 plus Freddy dined together every night, and we all did the optional bike ride to the lovely Playa Ancon.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I read all the reviews. Great advice. I would add: wheelie case useful for all the moving, and don't pack full....you are literally living out of a suitcase. Also take quick drying stuff e.g. Travel towel. Sink plug useful. I got to use my mask and snorkel but could have managed without the fins, which take up space. A friend told me to take boiled sweets....thank you, they helped me up those hills. Spare water bottle, yes dropped and broke one. Changing money is easy, we did ours after exciting the airport before getting on the bus (we asked Freddy if we had time). But we underestimated how much. We had to change more later in the week. Although most food in, and drinks cheap, you will want to buy soft drinks, coffees, beer and cocktails! The trip notes say 20 to 30 CUCs per day per person for days when food not provided. I would budget 20 per day! And if you want to buy a lot souvenirs, more. Finally, wish we'd taken a Go Pro!
Corinne Knoesen
Reviewed January 2015
Sri Lanka - Christmas 2014 - wonderful!!
I have done several cycling holidays with Exodus and can thoroughly recommend this one. The landscape is amazing & very varied. Food is wonderful. The locals are incredibly welcoming – smiles and exhortations to “hurry up” from young & old alike. But what really made the holiday was our wonderful patient, knowledgeable guide Dileep. Absolutely nothing was too much trouble – he worked so hard to make this the holiday of a lifetime.
Most Inspirational Moment
10km downhill through the tea plantations around Kandy.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I honestly cannot think of any way that he could be better. I have travelled with Exodus many times and also with several other similar companies. Dileep was one of the best - if not the best - tour leader I have ever had.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take an umbrella in case of rain - but also to shade you from the sun. Take your saddle or a gel cover.
Robert Bates
Reviewed January 2015
Marrakech and the Sahara
An excellent trip to gain a brief overview of Morocco. You fit a lot in and see a lot in a short time but it doesn’t feel overly rushed. No real early starts or late finishes, very relaxed. Had a nice group of people who were pretty easy going. Would recommend this trip. We had never been to Morocco before and this trip made us think of visiting in the future to experience more.
Most Inspirational Moment
Contrast of the desert and the mountain experiences.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent, mixed with the group well. Knowledgeable and approachable. We were a very well behaved group so he had an easy time!!!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't change money at the first hotel as the exchange rate was very poor. Very cold at night in December in the gite and desert. Be prepared. Your body will know that you have been on the camel ride but it's all part of the fun and experience.
jayne shaw
Reviewed January 2015
Fantastic trip!
This was my first solo adventure! My first trip with Exodus, My first cycling holiday and the first trip to Cuba…..they will not be the last! I had a wonderful holiday and have only positive things to say about the week. I absolutely loved Cuba and cycling was a great way of seeing the country. It was such a vibrant place to be.
The organisation of the holiday was great, not too structured and rigid , just the right amount of free time and you always had the choice of whether to join in or not. The group of people I was with were very friendly and fun and also supportive and encouraging. I felt that we saw alot in the week, from beaches, to beautiful forests to exciting towns and nightlife.
Most Inspirational Moment
The last cycling day was really quite challenging for me , it was a great feeling to get to the top of the hills!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Freddie is brilliant and a perfect group leader. Very self assured, relaxed but in control. Very encouraging and reassuring. A cool guy!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Personally I would n't describe the cycling we did as particularly leisurely but I guess this depends on cycling fitness. We did some roller coaster hills which I think required a certain level of fitness. I certainly wish I had done more cycling prior to the trip. I got very saddle sore!
Richard Bowie
Reviewed January 2015
Dobbiaco
A location which I have visited into double figures ! This was the first time there was no snow on the small town on arrival . Despite this , we were able to ski every day thanks to the tremendous work that had been done to line many kilometres of loipe with manmade snow . Additionally we were able to visit new “pastures ” to vary our skiing experiences .
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting a change of ski boots that I could easily click-in to the skis ( having started with one size too large ) !
My first view again of the Dolomites .
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alex I had not met before . He was a most delightful leader , very pleasant , helpful and competent . His instruction was most valuable . Although the lack on snow locally would have been a problem , Alex had scouted out all around to find areas of snow that allowed the group to have skiing every day of the trip .
Also he delivered a few presentations on his expeditions to other continents to entertain us after dinner .
Advice for Potential Travellers
Prepare for good ski conditions but also for a lack of snow when walking boots might be useful .
